Reclosable container

ABSTRACT

A reclosable opening in the side of a container having a tubular body is constructed by affixing a rigid reclosure structure to an inward opening spout so that leverage upon the reclosure structure will return the spout from its open position to its original position closing the container.

United States Patent Smith May 13, 1975 541 RECLOSABLE CONTAINER 2,974,845 3/1961 Struble 229/11 R 3,038,649 6 1962 R 229 17 R [75] Inventor: Ernest L. Smith, Kansas City. Mo. ausmg l [73] Assignee: Phillips Petroleum Company,

n m Ok|a Primary ExaminerLeonard D. Christian [22] Filed: Aug. 30, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 393,166 ABSTRACT H 229/17 A reclosable pening in the ide of a container having [51] Int. Cl. 365d 5/72 a tubular body is constructed by affixing a rigid reclo- Field of Search 229/17 17 44 sure structure to an inward opening spout so that le- 1 30 verage upon the reclosure structure will return the spout from its open position to its original position [56] R r n s it d closing the container.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,842,302 7/1958 Ryder 229/17 R 12 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures FEJENTEB HAY 1 3&975 3, 883.066

SHEET 3 OF 3 RECLOSABLE CONTAINER This invention relates to a container. In another aspect it relates to a container with a reclosable spout. In another aspect it relates to a container having an inward opening reclosable spout. In still another aspect this invention relates to a blank from which a container having an inward opening spout can be constructed.

Production of containers and cartons from plastic, fiberboard, fiberboard coated with thermoplastic resins, and many similar materials has resulted in containers suitable for packaging of liquid and granular products. An important consideration in the design of such cartons has been the compactness of the container as it relates to the space required for shipping and storing filled containers, the ease with which the filled containers can be stacked or stored and the extent to which special racks or equipment are required therefor, the ease with which the container can be filled and sealed, and similar considerations relating to the convenience of use by the packaged product manufacturer. Of additional importance to manufacturers of containers and containerized products is the ease with which the product can be removed from the container and used and, particularly for products which are expected to be used over a period of time, the ease of reclosing the container for storage of the product between uses. In order to obtain an easily reclosable container, it has often been necessary to depart from the design which would be most effective in terms of efficient utilization of container material, decreased requirement for special handling equipment, and efficient use of available space in storage and handling facilities.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a reclosable container. A further object is to provide a reclosable container having a generally tubular body which can have various cross-sectional shapes. Another object is to provide a reclosable container having an inward opening closure with a reclosing structure affixed thereto. Still another object is to provide a blank from which the tubular body ofa container can be constructed. Other objects, aspects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from a study of the specification and the appended claims.

In accordance with the invention, a container is provided which can be readily used for packaging either liquid or granular products. Although the invention is described herein in relation to containers formed of fiberboard or fiberboard coated with thermoplastic resin, any self-supporting material suitable for use in similar containers can be utilized in the production of the container of the invention. Although a container having a regular geometric shape is presently preferred for its advantage in efficient use of materials and saving of filled container storage space, the invention can be used in conjunction with any container having a generally tubular body. A line of severance in the tubular body of the container across either a corner of the container body or a curved surface of the container body is used as the basis for a container opening which, when external pressure is applied, will snap from its closed position along the outside surface of the container to an open position within the boundaries of the original container. A rigid reclosing device permanently attached to the closure area is used to exert leverage on the closure and return it to its closed position when desired.

Referring now to the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container showing the pouring closure in the closed position.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the upper portion of the container of FIG. 1 showing the pouring closure in the open position.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a blank from which the body of the carton of FIG. 1 can be constructed.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a view which shows the cross section of FIG. 4 with the pouring closure in the closed position.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a container showing an alternative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an alternative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing another alternative embodiment of the invention.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a container formed of a tubular body 11, a bottom closure member 12, and a top closure member 14. Although the top closure member 14 illustrated is of the type having a peripheral channel into which the top edge of the container is inserted and then sealed, any top and bottom closures known to the art are suitable for use with the invention. Immediately below top closure means 14 is a line of severance running from point A on side 16 of container body 11 to point B on side 17 of container body 11 and passing through point C at the intersection of sides 16 and 17 along score line 32. Score lines 21 and 22, drawn from points A and B, respectively, to point D located at the intersection of side 16 and side 17 along score line 32, and score line 23 from point D to point E, midway between points A and C, define pouring closure panels 25a, 25b and 26. Reclosure disc 28 is affixed to pouring closure panel 26 and is positioned so that it overlaps both panel 26 and side 17 across score line 22. Reclosure disc 28 is not attached to side 17, its only point of attachment to the container being on panel 26. Although the reclosure means illustrated is in the shape of a disc, any shape can be used. Preferred shapes have a flat area on the container side of the portion overlapping panel 26 to facilitate the attachment of the reclosure means by application of hot melt adhesive or other suitable attachment means. The reclosure means 28 should also contact score line 22 so that the edge of side 17 along score line 22 will function as a fulcrum to permit exertion of force on panel 26 by putting pressure on that portion of reclosure means 28 extending away from panel 26 across score line 22. The preferred reclosure means is also relatively flat overall to present less hazard of becoming dislodged during handling and storage. The reclosure means 28 can be made of any convenient rigid material which can be readily adhered to panel 26. Wood, metal, rigid plastic, and heavy fiberboard are examples of such materials. Plastics, such as a copolymer of acrylonitrile, butadiene, and styrene, are preferred for the production of the disc-shaped reclosure means illustrated since the disc can easily be punched from a flat sheet of the basic rigid material. The reclosure means can have a distinctive two or three dimensional shape, however, and may be imprinted with suitable identifying or advertising indicia.

FIG. 2 shows the top portion of the container of FIG. 1 with the pouring closure in the open position. The pouring closure has been snapped to its open position by applying pressure either along score line 32 between point C and point D or against that portion of reclosure means 28 overlapping panel 26. Shifting of the pouring closure to the open position has left a space between the top closure 14 and the top of the pouring closure defined by a line connecting points A, E,,, C,,, and B where E and C, are the points on the open pouring closure corresponding to points E and C on the carton. The contents of the container can be poured from the opening thus defined. Although a triangular shape for pouring closure panels 25a, 25b, and 26 is used in the preferred embodiment illustrated for simplicity in design and manufacture, pouring closure panels of other shapes are within the scope of the invention.

FIG. 3 shows the blank from which the tubular body member 11 of the container illustrated in FIG. 1 can be made. Parallel score lines 31, 32, 33, and 34 across the width of the blank divide the blank into carton side segments 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19. Although score lines 31, 32, 33, and 34 can extend the entire width of the blank, a preferred method of scoring is to end the score lines a short distance, approximately one thirty-second of an inch for example, from the edge of the blank. Leaving a short unscored portion of the blank next to the edge to prevent accidental bending or tearing of the blank along the score line during handling does not interfere with assembly of the blank into a carton. A line of severance is cut from point A on side segment 16 to point B on side segment 17, crossing score line 32 at point C. The line of severance can be a continuous cut or an interrupted cut that can be broken easily. The strength of the container along the line of severance can be increased by terminating score line 32 and other score lines adjacent to the line of severance approximately one thirty-second of an inch from the line of severance. Score line 32a, starting approximately one thritysecond of an inch on the other side of the line of severance, is a continuation of score line 32 when this strengthening method is used. To facilitate opening and closing of the pouring closure, score lines 21 and 22 extend from points A and B, respectively, to point D on score line 32. Score line 23 is added from point E, approximately midway along the line of severance between point A and point C, to point D. The addition of score line 23 helps to increase the effective size of the container opening.

Reclosure disc 28 is positioned across score line 22 overlapping closure panel 26 and side segment 17 and adhered to pouring closure panel 26 after the score lines have been made on the blank. If desired, reclosure disc 28 can be left off the blank and be positioned and applied to pouring closure panel 26 after the container has been assembled. When reclosure disc 28 is attached to the blank, use of a relatively thin reclosure disc 28 is preferred in order to minimize problems associated with handling the blanks in bulk. A disc with a thickness of less than about five times the thickness of the blank is preferred with a disc having a thickness less than about two times the thickness of the blank being more preferred in such applications. A peel strip 36 of metal foil or other suitable material can be adhered to the blank to cover the line of severance in the blank and to prevent premature opening of the pouring closure. Like reclosure tab 28, peel strip 36 may be applied to the blank prior to assembly of the container or may be applied to the container after it has been assembled. Unlike reclosure disc 28, peel strip 36 should be removably adhered to the container so that it can be readily peeled away when opening of the pouring closure is desired.

To assemble the container, the blank is folded at right angles along score lines 31, 32, 33, and 34. A tubular body 11 of rectangular cross section is formed with a portion of side segment 15 overlapping a portion of side segment 19. These overlapping portions are adhered to each other to complete formation of the tubular body member. Bottom closure member 12 is then adhered to the bottom of the body member 11 to form a container which is ready to be filled. After the container has been filled, top closure member 14 is sealed in place to complete the container construction.

FIG. 4 shows a partial cross section of the open container closure illustrated by FIG. 2. A portion of container sides 16 and 17 is shown with pouring closure panels 25a, 25b, and 26, inclined toward the interior of the container in the open position. Reclosure disc 28, being affixed to pouring closure panel 26, has moved with pouring closure panel 26 so that a portion of the reclosure disc 28 is located inside the plane of the container wall defined by side 17, the remainder of the reclosure disc 28 protruding beyond side 17 outside the carton. Reclosure of the carton can be accomplished by applying pressure to the outwardly protruding portion of reclosure disc 28 forcing pouring closure panel 26 to which it is attached to realign itself in the same plane as container side 17. The use of the edge of side 17 along score line 22 as a fulcrum for exertion of a closing force on panel 26 can readily be seen from the FIGURE. The realignment of pouring closure panel 26 with side 17 in turn forces realignment of pouring closure panels 25a and 25b with container side 16. The distance which reclosure disc 28 extends outside the container when the pouring closure is in the open position will depend on the size of the reclosure disc 28 and its location. As a general rule, this distance need only be large enough to permit convenient exertion of leverage using a thumb, finger, or hand. While an extension of about one-eighth inch could be considered a minimum which would allow convenient reclosure, a larger extension makes closing easier. When a circular disc reclosure means is used, a disc having from one-half to 1 /2 times the surface area of triangular panel 26 with one-fourth to one-half of this area extending outside the container when the pouring closure is in the open position is preferred.

The partial cross section of FIG. 5, taken along the same line as the cross section of FIG. 4, illustrates the alignment of pouring closure panel 26 with side 17 and pouring closure panels 25a and 25b with side 16 when the pouring closure is in the closed position. This FIG- URE also illustrates the preferred cross-sectional shape of score lines 21, 22, 23, and 32. In addition, the location of preferred application of adhesive 38 to adhere reclosure disc 28 to pouring closure panel 26 is shown.

FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the invention wherein score line 23 is omitted from the container blank. In this embodiment the pouring closure comprises two pouring closure panels 25 and 26 with reclosure disc 28 affixed to pouring closure panel 26. Points A, B, C, and D are identical to those shown in FIG. 1. The embodiment of FIG. 6 is shown with the pouring closure in the closed position.

FIG. 7 illustrates a container similar to that shown in FIG. 6 wherein the angles of cuts from point A to point C and from point B' to point C are not and point D has been chosen at a position along the intersection of sides 16 and 17 on score line 32 above point C. The pouring closure comprises pouring closure panels 25' and 26 with reclosure disc 28 attached to pouring closure panel 26 and overlapping the score line between pouring closure panel 26 and side 17. The pouring closure is shown in the open position. Reclosure of the pouring closure by exerting pressure upon the outwardly extending portion of reclosure disc 28 results in alignment of pouring closure panel 26' with side 17 and pouring closure panel 25' with side 16 and brings point C,, adjacent to point C.

Although the invention has been illustrated using a container having a rectangular cross section, the invention is adaptable for use with threesided, five'sided, six-sided, and other multisided containers when a special use or the need for a distinctive design makes such a configuration desirable. The ability of the pouring closure to snap from a closed position to an open position is dependent only upon the shortest distance along the surface of container body 11 from point A to point B, as shown by the drawing, being longer than a straight line through space connecting point A with point B. Whenever this condition is met, pressure on the outside of the pouring closure will cause bending of the container along the score lines surrounding pouring closure panels 25a, 25b, and 26, 25 and 26, or 25 and 26', depending on the particular embodiment, as well as a momentary slight distortion in the shape of the carton with the result that the pouring closure snaps past center to a stable open position. Application of pressure in the opposite direction to pouring closure panel 26 or 26' through reclosure disc 28 causes the pouring closure to snap back to its original closed position.

Use of the invention in conjunction with a container having a circular or elliptical cross section is illustrated by FIG. 8. Point D" has been selected in a location similar to point D in FIG. 7 and the cut between point A and point B" is a straight line along the circumference of the container. Pouring closure panel 26" can be opened by exerting central pressure on the panel and can be closed by pushing the protruding portion of reclosure disc 28" back against the surface of tubular body member 11". Although attachment of reclosure disc 28" to pouring closure panel 26" can be accomplished in the same manner with this embodiment as with other embodiments, use of a curved reclosure disc 28" conforming to the curvature of the adjacent portion of body member 11" and/or the reverse curvature of the open pouring closure panel 26" is preferred. A blank suitable for the construction of a circular or elliptical body member 11" can be made using a rectangular piece of fiberboard or other suitable material similar to the blank illustrated by FIG. 3 by omitting all score lines except those connecting point D" to points A" and B".

Reasonable variations and modifications are possible within the scope of the foregoing disclosure and the appended claims to the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A container having a generally tubular body member; a bottom closure means affixed to one end of said body member; a top closure means affixed to the other end of said body member; pouring closure means hinged to said body member and closing said container in a stable closed first position, said pouring closure means being capable of being forced inwardly to arrive at a stable open second position; and reclosure means comprising a rigid structure firmly attached to said pouring closure means but unattached to any other part of said container, overlapping said body member across 5 a line at which said pouring closure means and said body member are hinged, and contacting said hinge line between said closure means and said body member.

2. A container in accordance with claim 1 wherein said pouring closure means comprises a plurality of adjacent panels forming a part of said body member, each said panel having a severable line along one side, said severable lines forming a continuous line of severance along said body member, the length of a straight line from a first point at one end of said continuous line of severance to a second point at the other end of said continuous line of severance being shorter than the shortest distance along the surface of said body member from said first point to said second point, each said panel being hinged on all other sides to either said body member or to an adjacent panel, and wherein said reclosure means is attached to one of said panels.

3. A container in accordance with claim 2 wherein said tubular body member comprises three or more flat body surfaces intersecting along generally parallel lines, wherein said line of severance extends from said first point on a first said flat body surface to said second point on an adjacent second one of said flat body surfaces, wherein said first flat body surface contains one of said panels hinged to another of said panels along the intersection of said first flat body surface with said second flat body surface, and wherein said reclosure means is attached to the panel on said first flat body surface and overlaps the hinge line between said panel on said first flat body surface and said first flat body surface.

4. A container in accordance with claim 3 wherein there are four of said flat body surfaces forming a tubular body having a generally rectangular cross section.

5. A container in accordance with claim 3 wherein said panels are triangular in shape with all said triangular panels having a common point on the intersection of said first flat body surface with said second flat body surface.

6. A container in accordance with claim 5 wherein there are two said panels on said second flat body surface.

7. A container in accordance with claim 6 wherein there are four said flat body surfaces forming a tubular body having a generally rectangular cross section.

8. A container in accordance with claim 5 wherein there is one said panel on said second fiat body surface.

9. A body member in accordance with claim 8 wherein there are four said flat body surfaces forming a tubular body having a generally rectangular cross section.

10. A blank for the formation of the side of a tubular paperboard carton, said blank comprising a rectangular paperboard member, a line of severance extending from a first point on said member to a second point on said member, a first score line extending from said first point to a third point on said member, said third point being spaced from said line of severance, a second score line extending from said second point to said third point, and a reclosure means affixed to the reclosure area of the blank defined by said line of severance, said first score line and said second score line, said reclosure means overlapping said first score line, being permanently adhered to said closure area, and being unattached to any other portion of said blank.

11. A blank for the formation of the sides of a tubular paperboard carton, said blank comprising a rectangular end point in an adjacent side wall panel joined to said first one of said side wall panels by said one of said score lines, a score line extending from said first point to'a third point on said one of said score lines, said third point being spaced from said line of severance, a score line extending from said second point to said third point, and a reclosure means affixed tothe area of the blank defined by a portion of said line of severance, a portion of said crossed score line and said score line from said first point to said third point, said reclosure means overlapping said score line from said first point to said third point and being permanently affixed to said area.

12. The blank of claim 11 additionally comprising one or more supplementary score lines from one or more points along said line of severance between said crossed score line and said second point to said third point.

UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK-OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION PATENT NO. 3 056 DATED May 13, 1975 0 (5) Ernest L. Smith It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 6, line 53, delete "body member and insert container er md and grcalcd this [SEAL] Arrest:

RUTH c. MASON t c. MARSHALL DANN AttestingO/ficer Commissioner nflalenrs and Trademarks Twenty-fourth August 1976 I 

1. A container having a generally tubular body member; a bottom closure means affixed to one end of said body member; a top closure means affixed to the other end of said body member; pouring closure means hinged to said body member and closing said container in a stable closed first position, said pouring closure means being capable of being forced inwardly to arrive at a stable open second position; and reclosure means comprising a rigid structure firmly attached to said pouring closure means but unattached to any other part of said container, overlapping said body member across a line at which said pouring closure means and said body member are hinged, and contacting said hinge line between said closure means and said body member.
 2. A container in accordance with claim 1 wherein said pouring closure means comprises a plurality of adjacent panels forming a part of said body member, each said panel having a severable line along one side, said severable lines forming a continuous line of severance along said body member, the length of a straight line from a first point at one end of said continuous line of severance to a second point at the other end of said continuous line of severance being shorter than the shortest distance along the surface of said body member from said first point to said second point, each said panel being hinged on all other sides to either said body member or to an adjacent panel, and wherein said reclosure means is attached to one of said panels.
 3. A container in accordance with claim 2 wherein said tubular body member comprises three or more flat body surfaces inteRsecting along generally parallel lines, wherein said line of severance extends from said first point on a first said flat body surface to said second point on an adjacent second one of said flat body surfaces, wherein said first flat body surface contains one of said panels hinged to another of said panels along the intersection of said first flat body surface with said second flat body surface, and wherein said reclosure means is attached to the panel on said first flat body surface and overlaps the hinge line between said panel on said first flat body surface and said first flat body surface.
 4. A container in accordance with claim 3 wherein there are four of said flat body surfaces forming a tubular body having a generally rectangular cross section.
 5. A container in accordance with claim 3 wherein said panels are triangular in shape with all said triangular panels having a common point on the intersection of said first flat body surface with said second flat body surface.
 6. A container in accordance with claim 5 wherein there are two said panels on said second flat body surface.
 7. A container in accordance with claim 6 wherein there are four said flat body surfaces forming a tubular body having a generally rectangular cross section.
 8. A container in accordance with claim 5 wherein there is one said panel on said second flat body surface.
 9. A body member in accordance with claim 8 wherein there are four said flat body surfaces forming a tubular body having a generally rectangular cross section.
 10. A blank for the formation of the side of a tubular paperboard carton, said blank comprising a rectangular paperboard member, a line of severance extending from a first point on said member to a second point on said member, a first score line extending from said first point to a third point on said member, said third point being spaced from said line of severance, a second score line extending from said second point to said third point, and a reclosure means affixed to the reclosure area of the blank defined by said line of severance, said first score line and said second score line, said reclosure means overlapping said first score line, being permanently adhered to said closure area, and being unattached to any other portion of said blank.
 11. A blank for the formation of the sides of a tubular paperboard carton, said blank comprising a rectangular paperboard member having at least three parallel score lines extending substantially the full width of said rectangular member to form side wall panels, a line of severance extending from a first point on a first one of said side wall panels across one of said score lines to a second point in an adjacent side wall panel joined to said first one of said side wall panels by said one of said score lines, a score line extending from said first point to a third point on said one of said score lines, said third point being spaced from said line of severance, a score line extending from said second point to said third point, and a reclosure means affixed to the area of the blank defined by a portion of said line of severance, a portion of said crossed score line and said score line from said first point to said third point, said reclosure means overlapping said score line from said first point to said third point and being permanently affixed to said area.
 12. The blank of claim 11 additionally comprising one or more supplementary score lines from one or more points along said line of severance between said crossed score line and said second point to said third point. 